Champlain Game Academy

Students working on computers together
Pre-College Programs
Pre-College Programs
Program is open to students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates (ages 15-18).

Please check back for more details.

The Champlain Game Academy offers an intensive residential pre-college program for high school students entering grades 10-12 and recent high school graduates. Our pre-college summer program is designed to explore what it is like to study game development in college while learning how to make games.

The Champlain Game Academy curriculum was created using the award-winning learning model of The Game Studio at Champlain College. Like the Game Studio, our program emphasizes teamwork and creative collaboration across all the game development disciplines. In order to understand how a professional game development team works, students will be introduced to all aspects of game development, including:

  • Game Art and Animation
  • Business
  • Design
  • Narrative
  • Production Management
  • Programming
  • Sound
  • Testing

Then, under the direction of professors and industry professionals, students will gain real-world experience in their areas of special interest in this field by learning to work together across game development disciplines to build original game prototypes using:

  • Maya
  • Unity
  • C#

By the end of this program, students will have an understanding of the behind-the-scenes operations of the world’s professional game studios, a game prototype that can be used in a portfolio for college applications, and first-hand experience of what it will be like to study game development in college.

Champlain Game Academy is designed for:

  • Students entering grades 10-12 and recent high school graduates about to enter college
  • Students who want to know what it takes to make games
  • Students thinking about studying game development in college

Pre-College Summer Program Details

Champlain Game Academy

This Academy is offered twice to meet demand. Both sessions offer the same curriculum.

Session I – Residential

Students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates
Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 19, 2024
$4,500.00

Session II – Residential

Students entering grades 10–12 and recent high school graduates
Monday, July 22 – Friday, August 2, 2024
$4,500.00
Smiling student working on project in Game Academy

Get a Jump Start on College Education

In the Champlain Game Academy, students will:

  • Gain experience in all aspects of game development, from game design and game art to game programming and game sound production
  • Get a head start on building their portfolio
  • Experience what it is like to study game development in college
  • Develop a working game prototype
  • Learn new skills and work collaboratively with other students who are also passionate about game development

Learn From the Best

During the program, students work closely with Champlain College professors who teach game development courses in our innovative Game Studio and have extensive expertise and professional connections in the game industry.

Champlain College was ranked a Top 10 School for Game Design by the Princeton Review in 2024.

4 professors standing in a hallway
Three Game Academy Students smiling at camera

Make Friends

Program attendees will have a lot in common with their fellow students. By working together in the classroom, living together in the residence halls, and enjoying extracurricular activities, students form friendships that last far beyond the length of the Academy.

Experience Champlain College

In an ever-changing world, Champlain College is renowned for preparing future leaders in the most sought-after career fields and professions that today’s students are most passionate about. Explore our facilities, learn from our industry-expert faculty, and enjoy our beautiful campus.

Student working on game design

Example of a Daily Schedule

The daily program will include morning and afternoon instruction, and a combination of instruction and recreational activities in the evenings. We’ll work right through the weekend to take full advantage of the time we have together!

8:00 – 9:00 AMBreakfast and Morning Meeting
9:00 AM – 12:00 PMInstruction and Collaborative Work in The Game Studio
12:00 – 2:00 PMLunch and Recreation
2:00 – 5:00 PMInstruction and Collaborative Work in The Game Studio
5:00 – 10:00 PMDinner and Recreation Activity
11:00 PMLights Out

Experience College Before College

More in Student Life
Students playing frisbee on a lawn on Champlain campus
I now have a vision of what I want to do with my life, and game creating isn’t just a dream anymore.
Game Academy Attendee

Learn More About Pre-College Summer Programs at Champlain College

Fill out the form below to receive additional information about our programs through our mailing list. If you have any questions, contact us at precollege@champlain.edu, or include them in your form submission, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Picture of Champlain College campus